Shepherd Neame Kent League, week 5 review
Saturday 2nd June 2018
Blackheath moved to the top of the Shepherd Neame Premier League table with victory at early leaders Sandwich Town.
The hosts won the toss and dismissed the former national champions for 130 with two wickets apiece for Ashleigh Cox, Craig Spanton, Alex Smith and former Kent scholar Jan Gray.
Mehdi Abbas’ half-century proved to be a vital contribution as in-form Ivan Thomas (3/26 off 8.1 overs) made early in-roads alongside new-ball partner Jahid Ahmed.
Only Rory (14) and Ben (44) Smith reached double figures as Town collapsed to 85 all out at The Butts.
Beckenham’s bid to retain the title was dealt a blow with a home humbling against Tunbridge Wells. The hosts invited the visitors to bat first and Wells posted 227 for eight.
Skipper Chris Williams hit 50 at the top of the order and former Kent scholar Marcus O’Riordan top-scored with 65 not out with Junaid Nadir (5/49) the pick of the home attack.
Beckenham were bundled out for 90 in the 30th over with only two batsmen reaching double figures.
Tenterden’s relegation worries deepened with a six-wicket defeat at Sevenoaks Vine after being invited to bat by the hosts.
Tom Parsons (3/25) removed the top three before Evert Bekker (4/30) dismissed Tenterden captain Ben Price as the visitors lost seven wickets for the addition of 51 runs.
The Vine openers John Bowden and Zak Crawley each scored 47 and shared a 78-run stand before reaching the target with 26.2 overs to spare.
Newcomers Bickley Park won at fellow newly-promoted side Bromley Common by 80 runs.
Tailend resistance from Bickley’s Adeel Malik (45), Phil Browning (27) and Gordon Darroch (21) helped the visitors to 211 with three wickets each for Sam Clarkson and Matt Taylor.
Malik completed a fine all-round display with 3/21 as Common slipped to 131 all out to stay in the relegation zone.